Pole-mounted dual switch unit

ABSTRACT

A switch unit, of air-break disconnect type and which is adapted to be pole-mounted, comprising- in connection with a supporting structure-a pair of longitudinal insulators spaced apart at adjacent ends and projecting outward in opposite directions, a third longitudinal insulator extending laterally of said pair of insulators and projecting outward in a vertical plane therebetween, each insulator of the pair being mounted for part circle rotation about its axis, a switch formed between each rotatable insulator and the third insulator and such switch being opened or closed by part circle rotation of said insulator in one direction or the other, there being means connected to the rotatable insulators to selectively rotate the same, the outer end of each of the three insulators being adapted for coupling to a separate and corresponding circuit cable, and circuit means arranged with said circuit cables and switches in a manner such that, when the latter are closed, the circuit cable coupled to the pair of insulators are individually electrically connected to the circuit cable coupled to the third insulator.

Unite tates Patent [72] inventor John G. Pahl 1624 C. Alpine Ave.,Stockton, Calif. 95205 [21] Appl. No. 839,268 [22] Filed July 7, 1969[45] Patented June 29, 1971 [54] POLE-MOUNTED DUAL SWITCH UNIT 4 Claims,4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 200/48 [51] lnt.Cl ...H01h31/00 [50] Field of Search200/48; 174/169 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,222,47012/1965 Pahl 200/48 FOREIGN PATENTS 452,649 3/1968 Switzerland 200/48Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-H. J. HohauserAttorneyWebster & Webster ABSTRACT: A switch unit, of air-breakdisconnect type and which is adapted to be pole-mounted, comprisinginconnection with a supporting structure-a pair of longitudinal insulatorsspaced apart at adjacent ends and projecting outward in oppositedirections, a third longitudinal insulator extending laterally of saidpair of insulators and projecting outward in a vertical planetherebetween, each insulator of the pair being mounted for part circlerotation about its axis, a switch formed between each rotatableinsulator and the third insulator and such switch being opened or closedby part circle rotation of said insulator in one direction or the other,there being means connected to the rotatable insulators to selectivelyrotate the same, the outer end of each of the three insulators beingadapted for coupling to a separate and corresponding circuit cable, andcircuit means arranged with said circuit cables and switches in a mannersuch that, when the latter are closed, the circuit cable coupled to thepair of insulators are individually electrically connected to thecircuit cable coupled to the third insulator.

PATENTED JUN29|97| 3,590 179 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR.

ji John G. Pohl aim 6mm ATTORNEYS POLE-MOUNTED DUAL SWITCI'I UNITBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In pole-mounted switch units of air-breakdisconnect type, and wherein two circuit cables end-connect toinsulators of the switch unit, a single switch is conventionallyincluded and which is opened and closed-relative to said cables-by partcircle rotation of one such insulator. In certain instances, however, itis desired to incorporate two switches in the switch unit whereby thelatter can accommodate a third circuit cable, with the switches thenproviding certain selective electrical connections (or disconnections)relative to the three cables. It was in the direction of providing sucha dual switch unit that the present invention was conceived.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides, as a majorobject, a novel pole-mounted switch unit, of air-break disconnect type,which is designed for coupling to three separate, differentiallyextending circuit cables; the unit embodying dual switches-individuallyopened or closed by insulator rotation-operative to accomplish certainselective electrical connections (or disconnections) relative to suchcables.

The present invention provides, as an additional object, a novel,pole-mounted switch unit, of air-break disconnect type,

comprising-in connection with a supporting structure-a pair oflongitudinal insulators spaced apart at adjacent ends and projectingoutward in opposite directions, a third longitudinal insulator extendinglaterally of said pair of insulators and projecting outward in avertical plane therebetween, each insulator of the pair being mountedfor part circle rotation about its axis, a switch formed between eachrotatable insulator and the third insulator and such switch being openedor closed by part circle rotation of said insulator in one direction orthe other, there being means connected to the rotatable insulators toselectively rotate the same, the outer end of each of the threeinsulators being adapted for coupling to a separate and correspondingcircuit cable, and circuit means arranged with said circuit cables andswitches in a manner such that, when the latter are closed, the circuitcables coupled to the pair of insulators are individually electricallyconnected to the circuit cable coupled to the third insulator.

The present invention provides, as a further object, a polemounted dualswitch unit which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture.

The present invention provides, as a still further object, a practical,reliable, and durable pole-mounted dual switch unit and one which isexceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top plan view of the dualswitch unit as polemounted; both switches being closed.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the dual switch unit; one switch beingclosed and the other open.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the dual switch unit; both switches beingopen.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary isometric view showing mainly thedouble-ended bus cable and associated parts at the outer end of thelaterally extending insulator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularlyto the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, thepole-mounted dual switch unit of the present invention comprises avertical bracket I secured to the face of a utility pole 2; such bracketbeing provided at its upper end with a horizontal outwardly projectingbracket plate 3, while a U-shaped base 4 extends utwardly from thebracket below such plate.

A supporting head, indicated generally at 5, is secured on I andintersects the bracket plate 3; such head including laterally spacedangle members 6 connected by end plates 7.

A pair of longitudinal axially aligned insulators, indicated at 8 and 9,are disposed so that they project substantially horizontally outwardfrom adjacent opposite ends of the supporting head 5. Each of theinsulators 8 and 9 is provided with an inwardly extending axial shank 10which passes in rotatable relation through the related end plate 7.Inwardly of such related end plate 7, each shank I0 is mounted inconnection with the head 5 for limited rotation but held against axialdisplacement; each such mount (which is conventional) being indicatedgenerally at I 1. With this arrangement, each of the insulators 8 and 9is held against axial displacement but can be rotated or turned to alimited extent. Part circle rotation of each insulator 8 and 9 isaccomplished by means of a radial arm 12 fixed on the rear end of suchinsulator and extending inwardly therefrom to connection with apush-pull rod 13.

A third longitudinal insulator, indicated at 14, is fixed at its innerend on the base 4 and thence projects outwardly horizontally in alateral direction relative to the insulators 8 and 9. As so mounted, theinsulator l4 lies in the central transverse vertical plane of the switchunit.

At its outer end, the insulator 8 is connected to a circuit cable 15 bya coupling 16, while at its outer end the insulator a is connected to acircuit cable 17 by a coupling I8.

At its outer end, the third and laterally extending insulator 14 isconnected to a circuit cable w by a coupling 20.

A separate switch is formed between the rotatable insulator 8 and thefixed insulator 14, and another separate switch is formed between therotatable insulator 9 and said fixed insulator 14; such switches (inFIG. 1 only) being indicated generally at 21 and 22, respectively. Asthe switches 21 and 22 are-except for being rightand left-hand-of thesame construction, a description of one will suffice for both.

Each of the switches 21 and 22 includes an L-shaped or doglegged switcharm 23 secured at its inner end by a clamp 24 to the outer end of therelated insulator 8 or 9; such switch arm radiating from said insulatorwith the outer end portion of the arm turned or extending inwardlytoward but terminating short of the central vertical transverse plane ofthe switch unit.

Adjacent its free end, the switch arm 23 is fitted with a male switchblade 25 having electrical connection with the corresponding circuitcable 15 or 17 by means of a lead 26, a connector 27, and a bus cable28.

A horizontal crossbar 29 is positioned at the outer end of the lateralor third insulator I4, and centrally of its ends such crossbar 29 isfixed to said insulator by a clamp 30. As so mounted, opposite endportions of the crossbar 29 extend radially of insulator 14 generally inthe directions of the corresponding switch arms 23.

Each end portion of said crossbar 29 provides the support for anupstanding fixedly secured female switch member 31 disposed in aposition for mating engagement by the male switch blade 25 on thecorresponding switch arm 23 when the latter is swung to a forwardlyextending position by limited or part circle rotation of the relatedrotatable insulator 8 or 9. See FIG. 1.

A double-ended bus cable 32 spans between and is electrically connectedto the female switch members 31, and intermediate its ends suchdouble-ended bus cable includes thereon a mounting and electricalconductor member in the form of a press-fitted box sleeve 33 which liesacross and is bolted, as at 34, to the outer end of the clamp 30.

The circuit cable 19 is electrically connected to the doubleended buscable 32 by a lead 35 clamped at one end, as at 36, to said circuitcable 19, and at the other end being attached to the box sleeve '33 by afiat strip connector 37.

With the switch unit constructed as described, and with the switches 21and 22 closed as in FIG. 1, circuit cables 15 and 17 are both inelectrically connected relation to the circuit cable 19.

However, by opening only switch 22, the circuit cable 17 is placed indisconnected relation to circuit cables 15 and 19, which latter cablesremain in electrically connected relation. See FIG. 2. The converse istrue if switch 21 is alone opened, and in this instance circuit cable 15is placed in disconnected relation to circuit cables 17 and 19, whichlatter cables remain in electrically connected relation.

Further, upon opening of both switches 21 and 22, the switch unit standsfully open, and the circuit cables 15, 17, and 19 are in disconnectedrelation, each to the others.

Thus, the present invention provides a practical and readily operativeswitch unit whrein-by manipulation of the dual switchesthe three circuitcables can be placed in such selec- .ive electrical connection, orwholly disconnected from each other as conditions may require.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that there hasbeen produced such a pole-mounted dual switch unit as substantiallyfulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

1 claim:

1. In a pole-mounted switch unit, of air-break disconnect type, whichincludes a supporting structure. secured to the pole, a pair ofgenerally opposed longitudinal insulators connected at their inner endsto the supporting structure and each adapted for limited rotation, athird longitudinal insulator connected at its inner end to thesupporting structure in fixed relation intermediate said pair ofinsulators, the outer end of each of the three insulators being adaptedfor coupling to a separate and corresponding circuit cable, an armradiating from each rotatable insulator, a first switch part on theouter portion of each arm. a crossbar fixed intermediate its ends on theouter end of the third insulator, a second switch part on each endportion of the crossbar, corresponding first and second switch partscomprising a switch closed by engagement of said corresponding partswhen the related rotatable insulator is in a predetermined rotativeposition, and electrical connection means arranged with said circuitcables and switches in a manner such that, when the latter are closed,the circuit cables coupled to the rotatable insulators are individuallyelectrically connected to the circuit cable connected to said thirdinsulator; the improvement characterized by said electrical connectionmeans including a double-ended bus cable extending between and connectedto said second switch parts on the end portions of the crossbar, and amounting and electrical conductor member fixed on the bus cableintermediate its ends; the circuit cable coupled to the third insulatorhaving electrical connection with said member on the bus cable.

2. A switch unit, as in claim 1, in which said member on thedouble-ended bus cable comprises a sleeve fixed thereon intermediate itsends, and means securing the sleeve to the outer end of said thirdinsulator.

3. A switch unit, as in claim 2, in which the crossbar is fixed on theouter end of said third insulator by a clamp; the sleeve of thedouble-ended bus cable spanning said clamp, and said securing meansincluding the clamp and a bolt securing the sleeve thereto.

4. A switch unit, as in claim 3, in which the sleeve is of press-fittedbox type; the clamp and said sleeve having flat, abutting faces.

1. In a pole-mounted switch unit, of air-break disconnect type, whichincludes a supporting structure secured to the pole, a pair of generallyopposed longitudinal insulators connected at their inner ends to thesupporting structure and each adapted for limited rotation, a thirdlongitudinal insulator connected at its inner end to the supportingstructure in fixed relation intermediate said pair of insulators, theouter end of each of the three insulators being adapted for coupling toa separate and corresponding circuit cable, an arm radiating from eachrotatable insulator, a first switch part on the outer portion of eacharm, a crossbar fixed intermediate its ends on the outer end of thethird insulator, a second switch part on each end portion of thecrossbar, corresponding first and second switch parts comprising aswitch closed by engagement of said corresponding parts when the relatedrotatable insulator is in a predetermined rotative position, andelectrical connection means arranged with said circuit cables andswitches in a manner such that, when the latter are closed, the circuitcables coupled to the rotatable insulators are individually electricallyconnected to the circuit cable connected to said third insulator; theimprovement characterized by said electrical connection means includinga double-ended bus cable extending between and connected to said secondswitch parts on the end portions of the crossbar, and a mounting andelectrical conductor member fixed on the bus cable intermediate itsends; the circuit cable coupled to the third insulator having electricalconnectioN with said member on the bus cable.
 2. A switch unit, as inclaim 1, in which said member on the double-ended bus cable comprises asleeve fixed thereon intermediate its ends, and means securing thesleeve to the outer end of said third insulator.
 3. A switch unit, as inclaim 2, in which the crossbar is fixed on the outer end of said thirdinsulator by a clamp; the sleeve of the double-ended bus cable spanningsaid clamp, and said securing means including the clamp and a boltsecuring the sleeve thereto.
 4. A switch unit, as in claim 3, in whichthe sleeve is of press-fitted box type; the clamp and said sleeve havingflat, abutting faces.